Live recording
Play together in our 38 m² live room while we capture drums, amps, and room mics — with an iso booth for solos or vocals without stopping the band.
Live recording at Olivevanta suits ensembles that want energy from one space: rock, indie, jazz combos, funk, and acoustic groups that should sound like a unit on record. Amira van Slooten often coordinates live days; engineers prep mic plots before load-in when details are confirmed.
The live room sits next to control and the vocal booth in a 3-room facility on Sarphatistraat, operating as a recording studio since 2020. After a live day you can finish vocals or overdubs in the booth without changing address — see vocal recording.
How it works
Plan
Send a track list, rough demos, and who plays what. We draft a mic plan and confirm duration (hourly, half, or full day) plus a 25% deposit under terms.
Load-in
During your booked window we load amps and drums; you tune guitars and snare. Allow thirty to forty-five minutes before take one — that sits inside your block.
Tracking
Full-band takes with isolation where needed (vocals in booth, room mics for ambience). Talkback from control; each player hears a balance mix in headphones.
Handover
Multitrack WAV per channel, labelled by instrument. Download link within a few days; raw session kept 18 months. Mix and master are separate (mixing, mastering).
The live room layout
Roughly 38 m² with height and variable treatment so we can move from tight to lively. Drums often sit on a riser; guitars and bass run through amps with classic dynamic mics or your own cabinet choices.
One 1 iso booth connects to the live room for simultaneous vocal takes or guitar isolation without halting the ensemble. More than 5 musicians at once makes headphone mixes and sightlines impractical — that is our practical ceiling.
Mic inventory and routing
14 mic preamps feed a typical live plot: kick and snare close, overheads, room pair, bass DI plus amp, two guitar cabs, vocal in booth when needed.
- Drums: roughly four to eight channels depending on genre
- Bass: DI always, amp optional for blend
- Guitar: cab mic plus optional room for air
- Keys: DI or stereo out; we do not supply backline
Bring your snare, cymbals, or pedals if they define your tone; there is no house drum kit rental.
Live capture vs. overdubs
Live tracking fits bands that want interplay on tape. If you rely on click and layered construction, we can record a short live bed and overdub the same day or on a follow-up booking.
Podcast or talk setups belong under podcast recording — different layout and rate. Vocals without a band: vocal booth.
Band prep checklist
Tune at home; fresh heads and spare sticks help. Send a stage plot in advance so stands and DIs are ready when you walk in.
Know tempos and arrangement; we label takes by song and number. Run through the set before the session — live hours cost more per minute than solo booth time, so rehearsal pays off.
Headphone mixes
Each player gets a headphone mix (analog or personal mixer depending on head count). Too little click is a common reason for weak takes; we adjust per person.
Talkback from control stays open; between passes we agree what the next run should fix. Longer breaks are fine — a good take beats a exhausted band.
Files after the session
You receive discrete tracks for your DAW, not a stereo mix unless booked separately. Default 48 kHz, 24-bit WAV; other rates on request if the whole session matches.
| Source | Naming | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Drums (per mic) | Song_Take_Kick etc. | Overheads phase-checked |
| Bass / guitars | DI and amp split | Blend at mix stage |
| Room / ambience | Optional stereo pair | Use subtly in mix |
FAQ on cancellation and payment applies to live blocks too.
Rates and blocks
€118 hourly, €410 for four hours, €760 for eight — prices include 21% VAT. Load-in sits inside the block; overtime is charged pro rata after agreement.
Free cancellation until 5 days before the date. Parking nearby is limited; From Amstel metro (lines 51, 53, and 54) it is about a six-minute walk via Sarphatistraat. Tram 12 or 14 to Sarphatistraat stop, then one minute on foot toward Sarphatistraat 72. keeps public transport predictable.
Not included
No backline rental (amps, drums, keys), no instrument setup service, no photography, no mix/master inside the day rate. Bring your own food if you need a meal; water and coffee in the studio are available.
Large production riders sit outside standard live capture — e-mail [email protected] with scope. For noise questions we prefer daytime work where possible; evening slots by request via contact.
Getting here
Sarphatistraat 72, 1018 GE Amsterdam (Amsterdam-Oost). From Amstel metro (lines 51, 53, and 54) it is about a six-minute walk via Sarphatistraat. Tram 12 or 14 to Sarphatistraat stop, then one minute on foot toward Sarphatistraat 72.. Bike parking out front is typical in Amsterdam East; heavy amps through the ground-floor entrance after we agree load-in.
More about the building and team: about us. How we handle session data: privacy policy.
Included
- Live session producer/engineer
- Live room (~38 m²)
- Multi-mic drums and amp setup
- Iso booth for parallel vocals
- Individual headphone mixes
- Multitrack WAV export
- 18-month session archive
- 14 mic preamps available
FAQ
Do we fit as five players?
5 musicians at once is our working limit for one room mix. A singer only in the booth counts as a channel, not an extra body on the floor.
Can we mix the same day?
Multitrack export yes; a full mix usually schedules another day for fresh ears. Rush can be discussed for an extra fee.
Do you provide a drum kit?
No. Stands and cables are ready; you bring kit, cymbals, amps, and keys. Olivevanta does not rent backline.
How early can we load in?
Load-in starts when your booked time starts unless we agree an earlier slot in writing. Monday–Friday 09:30–21:30, Saturday 10:00–17:00. Closed Sunday; evening sessions by appointment.
What if someone is ill?
Tell us as soon as you can. Reschedule free within 5 days; see terms for later changes. Sometimes we continue with a bed and overdub later — we decide case by case.
Other services
- 01
Vocal recording
Isolated booth, guidance, and multiple takes without rushing the session.
€98 · per hour
- 02
Mixing
Balance, depth, and dynamics for singles, EPs, and albums.
€192 · per track
- 03
Mastering
Final loudness and translation for streaming, download, and vinyl.
€92 · per track
- 04
Podcast recording
Two to four voices, monitoring, and rough edit in one session.
€82 · per hour
Recording in Amsterdam?
Plan your next session with us
Briefly describe what you want to capture: within 2 working days you receive a slot proposal and a written quote, with no obligation.